“Brushing shit off. Moving on.”
She’s not wrong. But I’m not going there. “We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you.”
“It’s too embarrassing to tell you.”
“More embarrassing than the time you laughed so hard that red Slurpee shot out of your nose? You had to walk around all day looking like Rudolph.”
That cracks her. Just a little. A ghost of a smile plays on her lips.
“C’mon, Web. It’s me. You can tell me anything.”
She groans, dragging her hands down her face. “It was so stupid. I really screwed up. Said some shit I shouldn’t’ve. You know me, strike first, think later.” She pulls a breath as if gearing up for it. “I asked my mom if she was having an affair with Uncle Mo.”
My brows shoot up. “What made you think that?”
“She’s got this new haircut, and lately she’s started wearing lipstick and perfume for no apparent reason. And then Rayne tells me her dad might be seeing someone. I noticed them being extra friendly tonight and my mind just… jumped.”
“Damn. That’s one hell of a jump.”
“I know. I even told her I’d support her leaving my father for Mo. I mean, he is the nicer brother.”
“No lie there.”
“But still.” Her voice cracks. “I’m fucked up. Some part of me wanted it to be true. I had this dumb fantasy as a kid that they’d end up together and the four of us would be this perfect family. What kind of grown-ass woman still hangs on to that?”
I feel for her and wish I could make it better. “That was a messed-up thing to say to your mom, but you’re not fucked up, Lot. You have a difficult relationship with Maurice.”
“Difficult?” She snorts. “I want to strangle him every time I see his judgy face. Or hear his narrow-minded criticisms. But my mom is in love with this man. She said there’s no one else for her. Like, how?”
“Beats me.” I shake my head, having my own issues with him. “But your mom’s a hell of a woman. If she sees something worth loving, there’s gotta be something there.”
“I’ll need a microscope to find it.”
We both laugh, easing the tension in the air.
“Sorry you had a hard night, Lot.”
“Sorry I tried to use your dick to get over it.”
I grin. “I’d rather you use it strictly for pleasure.”
She gives me that sideways smile, the one that gets me every time.
“We good?” she asks.
“C’mere,” I say, opening my arms.
“No need for all that.”
“I didn’t ask if you need it. I said come here. Just for a minute.”
She cuts her eyes at me.
“It’s not a Lifetime movie, Web. No violins or feelings required.”
“Fine,” she mutters and crosses to me.
I pull her in, light and easy. No squeeze. No pressure. Just letting her know I’m here. Holding her down.
